Status: 11/24/2021 11:23 p.m.
More possession, more shots – but also more serious mistakes: Borussia Dortmund has gambled away the premier class after a self-inflicted bankruptcy at Sporting Lisbon.
With the 1: 3 (0: 2) defeat at the Portuguese, BVB also lost the direct comparison after the 1: 0 in the first leg – with three points behind Sporting on the last group match day on December 7th, the knockout round no longer possible.
“Hard to accept”
“That was a shitty job. We’re out, that’s the bitter truth. Sporting didn’t do anything for the game and win 3-1. That’s difficult to accept,” said Marco Reus after the final whistle and admitted: “We we didn’t play our best game. “Coach Marco Rose analyzed with great disappointment:” It was too easy to score goals against us. The opponents were more uncompromising. We have to work on being more consistent. It’s a bitter defeat. It was a clear goal to be in all three competitions next year. That’s a turning point. ”
Ajax Amsterdam was already through with five wins before the kick-off on Wednesday evening (24.11.21 as the front runner. There was a lot more possible for Dortmund. How to crack Sporting’s central defense, which is filled with three breakers, was shown by Manuel Akanji after a narrow A quarter of an hour after winning the ball, he immediately picked up the pace and sent the fast Donyell Malen with a pass into the intersection of the defensive chain – Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adán parried safely.
BVB with over 60 percent possession
The Portuguese completely disappointed in the first half hour. For a title candidate in the domestic league, who are level on points with front runner FC Porto in second place, there was a lot of offensive, especially offensive. Dortmund had the midfield clearly under control, had over 60 percent possession of the ball, played almost twice as many passes and did not allow the hosts a single conclusion.
But the first one sat straight away – and BVB actively helped. Sportings defense chief Sebastian Coates simply bolted the ball far into the opposing half for lack of a playful idea, Nico Schulz wanted to clear, but involuntarily extended into Pedro Gonçalves’ run. Gregor Kobel tried to prevent worse, but came out of his gate too late.
Gonçalves brutally effective
That Pedro Gonçalves desperately needed more attention, he proved again nine minutes later. Akanji tackled the attacking Pablo Sarabia, but involuntarily played in the middle and right into Gonçalves’ feet – he hammered the ball into the left corner from a good 20 meters.
Only then did the Dortmund team turn their plus in possession of the ball again: Gonçalo Inácio cleared the line after Malen’s solo for the defeated Antonio Adán, shortly afterwards Reinier headed over the crossbar from close range.
Red for Emre Can
Dortmund came out of the locker room with Emre Can for the overwhelmed Schulz, who like his counterpart on the right, Thomas Meunier, was a failure on the outside position. Driven by Can and above all Jude Bellingham, the guests were now putting enormous pressure on, but they still had problems to work out clear deals.
Then Can’s nerves ran out. When the hosts once again celebrated a supposed injury very time-consuming, Bellngham wanted to push the ball out of the way. But Can had recognized a show by Paulinho and wanted to continue – this led to a pack formation, in the course of which Can extended his elbow and saw the red card (74th).
Zagadous dropouts made the decision
A goal would have been enough for Dortmund at this point to postpone the decision again. The next mistake was too much: Paulinho was just about to dribble out of the BVB penalty area with the ball when Dan-Axel Zagadou hit him in the ankle. After studying video, the good referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande gave the legitimate penalty, which Kobel initially parried – but Pedro Porro converted the stabber to 3-0.
In stoppage time, Malen made it 3-1 after a cross from Julian Brandt that was extended by Marco Reus, but it wasn’t enough for more, despite a final offensive with ten men.
For BVB, the last group game against the pointless bottom side Besiktas is no longer about anything: The Champions League is a thing of the past, which is ultimately not surprising given a goal difference of 5:11 (!). The Europa League, on the other hand, is secured as third in the table.
Dortmund now in Wolfsburg
Dortmund have to compete in the Bundesliga on Saturday (October 27th, 2021, 3:30 p.m.) at VfL Wolfsburg. The second of the Portuguese Primeira Liga will play against CD Tondela the next day.
Source: sportschau.de